Nightwing #132: What’s Familiar is New

In the latest issue of Nightwing, we continue to see the elevation of  Dick Grayson’s situation with emotional flair, which will serve well to long-time readers and new ones alike.   

Dan Watters continues to hone in on Nightwing’s emotional vulnerability. From the first panel, he immediately establishes the heavy burden Dick Grayson carries. His almost crippling guilt over Bryce and the delicacy in how he handles their situation. In some way, I’m sure his time in Wayne Manor is front and center. Compiling that with a horrible case of missing children, Nightwing has his work cut out for him, albeit more than he knows. The volume gets turned to eleven when Watters moves swiftly from intense character and combat moments, delivering an explosive and emotional Nightwing.

The artistic team of Dexter Soy and Veronica Gandini delivers an absolutely stunning book. Soy’s dynamic pencils and inks lend an incredible energy to Nightwing’s movements. The signature style, with strong shadows, perfectly captures the acrobatic nature of the fight sequences. The spread of Nightwing soaring through the neon-drenched cityscape, mid-snowfall, is breathtaking.

Veronica Gandini’s coloring is the star in this issue. The issue is drenched in contrasting colors, deep blues and blacks, against striking reds and golds engulfing the surrounding Bludhaven. The neon reflections and rain-slicked surfaces give the city a moody atmosphere that matches the darkness of the storyline.